Posts published in “Day: October 12, 2006”

HIGHLANDS Poise, presentation and the ability to think on ones feet. These are among the attributes for the teenager who is selected to represent the community as Miss Highlands.Megan Lee demonstrated these abilities and more Saturday as she beat out a field of 13 to win the coveted Miss Highlands title.The pageant, hosted by the Highlands Horizons, has been held every year (except 1957) as part of the Highlands Jamboree celebration. The competition began Saturday morning as contestants were judged as they rode in parade.

Later that evening a near-capacity crowd gathered at the Highlands Junior School auditorium for the pageant. Featuring a show tunes theme, the pageant began with the contestants in a dance number to  Lady Marmalade from the musical Moulin Rouge. The opening number, which was choreographed by Brittany Dew and Tristanna Ford, was also part of the competition in which each girl receiving points that would be used as a tiebreaker.This years master of ceremonies was Sterling-White Funeral Home General Manager David Pena, who was assisted by 2005 Miss Highlands Whitney Bell.Saturdays competition consisted as three parts: sportswear, evening gown and interview. The sportswear and evening gown sections were judged on modeling and appearance while the interview tested the contestants ability to think on their feet.Regarded by many contestants as the hardest part of the event, each candidate is given the same question that is kept secret until they are on stage. The other contestants are kept backstage where they can hear neither the question nor the response. This years question was What is the best advice you could give to a freshman entering high school. While many suggested that freshmen be themselves and to concentrate hard on their studies, a couple warned freshmen not to buy elevator passes, listen to seniors or look for the third floor gymnasium.One popular part of the pageant, which was scored for a separate award and did not figure into the Miss Highland title, was talent. This years talent included singing, dancing, signing, an instrumental and dramatic monologue. At the close of the night, a number of special awards were given. Brianna Edwards won the talent award for her performance of Mandy Moores Only Hope. During a mother-daughter tea before the pageant, each girl had her picture taken. A three-judge panel reviewed these photos and Courtney Briscoe was name Most Photogenic. Another award presented was the Congeniality Award. This award is considered a special honor in that it is voted on by the other contestants. Ashley Hicks won this years award. Miranda Martin was recognized as the contestant who pre-sold the most ticket to the pageant.Jennie Robbins was known throughout Highlands for her dedication to the community. After her passing, the Highlands Horizons created the Jennie Robbins Community Service Award to honor her memory and to recognize the contestant who exemplified Robbins example. ]Robbins daughter, Kathryn Dunlop, presented the award to three girls this year: Candace Smith, Hicks and Briscoe.In the final judging, Briscoe was named second runner-up while Rachel Bailey won first runner-up.Earlier in the day, the 14th Annual Junior Miss Highlands Pageant was held.With competition similar to the older girls, the junior high-aged contestants were judged on sportswear, party dress and interview. The girls interview question was If you could be invisible for one day, what would you want to do. Most of the girls would use the power to learn who was talking behind their backs, what boys really say about girls and to play tricks on friends and siblings. Faith Drews won the talent award for her performance of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Shelbi Wallace won Congeniality and high ticket sales while Lexi Edwards took the photogenic award.Madison White was named Junior Miss Highlands. Emilee Traylor won first runner-up and LaKeisha Mitchell won second runner-up.

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HIGHLANDS Thousands lined Main Street to view the parade, attend the Miss Highlands Pageants, view the crafts booths, run in the Fun Run, and dance the night away at the street Jam.Last weekend was the 50th Highlands Jamboree, and great weather and a well organized event contributed to large crowds and a good time for everyone involved.Jamboree organizers included Margie Elliott, Betty Brewer, Ramona Hanagrif, Brandi Tapley, Tonya Russell, Jessica Woods, and scores of volunteers that helped.The theme of the event was Highlands Proud, and many of the floats in the parade used this motto on their floats.

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HIGHLANDS  A woman employee of the Green Room arcade shot herself and a robbery suspect at an alleged eight-liner arcade early Monday morning.On October 9 at about 4:58 a.m., calls went out for ambulance service to 509 North Main. At 5:12 when they arrived, medics immediately called for Lifeflight helicopters for a robbery suspect, and transported an unnamed female employee to Hermann Hospital by ambulance.Circumstances are sketchy but witnesses agree it happened pretty quick. Just after 4:30 a.m. two men entered the Green Room Game Room. Two suspects set about robbing the arcade after a few minutes of apparently casing the surroundings. One, detectives say, started robbing a male customer of his wallet with the added touch of striking him on the head, another threw a female clerk on a table. That clerk pulled a .32 caliber pistol and while struggling with a suspect shot herself in the elbow. Next, she shot Tomma Hiawatha Waid in the upper thigh. The suspect that had thrown the clerk onto the table fled the scene on foot.

The escaping suspect has much to worry about since deputies have information on him. He is described as a black male, 5 feet 8 inches in height and weighing about 180 to 200 pounds.The bullet fired into the other suspect apparently severed the femoral artery in his thigh. Waid was said to have required C.P.R. on the helicopter and in the Hermann Hospital Emergency Room but did not recover from surgery, and was pronounced dead.Harris County Sheriffs Deputies indicate lots of reasons not to play the local arcades, most of which have to do with limited security. Then there are laws prohibiting gambling in Texas. According to robbery Sergeant Pair, another recent robbery of an arcade in Harris County resulted in an armed guard being robbed of his gun and patrons also robbed. At the scene Monday, a Vice Squad Detective when questioned by the press, Will other charges be filed? answered with, Almost certainly.The shooting will be referred to a Grand Jury. Anyone with more information on the escaped suspect is asked to call Harris County Sheriffs Robbery Division at (713) 967-5770.